8 Best Lip Plumping Glosses and Balms in 2023

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

In the name of ~research~ I tested eight lip plumpers ranging in price from $6 to $29 to determine which one(s) reigned supreme.

Several of the lip plumpers I tried – including the Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum, the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump, and the Maybelline Lifter Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid – have gone on to achieve peak TikTok fame. However, to narrow down the crème de la crème of lip plumpers, I also threw some under-the-radar drugstore staples (Milani, Physicians Formula) and tried-and-true classics (Too Faced, Grande Cosmetics) into the mix.

Here are the full deets…

Too Faced's Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper may be the most expensive lip plumper on this list, but trust me when I say it's well worth the splurge. This cult-favorite, which has been around for a few years, definitely delivers on the plumping effect.

Within two minutes of applying the product, I noticed some tingling (most – if not all – lip plumpers have this, as it's the irritation that leads to the temporary swelling). It felt like a slight (albeit painless) burning sensation as if I ate something spicy. My lips appeared visibly larger in the mirror, and I noticed they stayed this way for about an hour after application. The super-shiny finish only enhanced the plumping effect, too. Also, despite the formula's clear hue, it turned my lips a beautiful soft pink for the perfect wash of color.

The TikTok-approved Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump isn't your typical lip plumper, and I mean that in the best way possible. Its creamy, smooth-gliding formula is similar to that of a balm or lipstick (as opposed to that of a gloss or lip oil, which is what's most commonplace on the market). It also had a cool, minty-fresh sensation (as opposed to a burning one), which, IMO, served as a bonus.

Even better? It's chock-full of nourishing ingredients – including plumping hyaluronic acid, fatty acid-rich maracuja oil, and moisturizing vitamin E, to name a few – to leave lips feeling smooth and conditioned for hours on end, even after the plumping effect has diminished entirely.

The Maybelline Lifter Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid has also taken TikTok by storm for its ultra-hydrating formula, shiny (albeit non-sticky) finish, and of course, its wallet-friendly price tag. I felt an oh-so-subtle tingling sensation upon application, and, within a few minutes, I noticed my pout looked plump and juicy. I especially loved how comfortable and light the formula felt on my lips. I'll take one in every color, please.

The first thing I noticed – and loved – about the Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum was how lightweight it was. Additionally, the stick formulation made it incredibly easy to apply while on the go (i.e., in an Uber without a mirror). The cool tingly sensation took about a minute to kick in. And, while I did notice a slight plumping effect, it went away within 20 minutes upon application.

Milani's Keep It Full Maxxx Balmshell Lip Plumping Balm was recently released in May 2022, so I was especially excited to test it out. I loved the subtle sparkly sheen and the cooling (not burning) tingling. Also, while the plumper is marketed as a balm, its conditioning formula – spiked with antioxidant-loaded mango oil – is similar to that of a gloss.

Despite how shiny, cushiony, and glossy the product looked (and felt!), my lips did not appear physically larger or swollen when I snapped a selfie. It's also worth noting that this formula is a tiny bit sticky, but, since the weather wasn't windy when I wore it out, it didn't bother me in the slightest.

The first thing I noticed about this lup plumper was how sweet it smelled (literally like a marshmallow). About three minutes after I swiped on the product, I noticed a cooling sensation. About a minute after that, I was pleasantly surprised by the size of my now-juicy lips in my iPhone camera. However, about 10 to 15 minutes later, the swelling went down, although the glossy sheen remained.

The GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper Gloss is among Grande Cosmetics' most popular products – and for good reason. Despite the fact that the swelling started almost immediately, it took about 15 to 20 minutes for the product to kick into full gear. Plus, the clear, shiny hue is ideal for layering over other lipsticks (liquid ones, too!), glosses, stains, and balms. Meanwhile, the skincare-focused formula, which is enriched with hyaluronic acid, is an incredible added bonus.

The NYX Professional Makeup Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Gloss is by far the shiniest option on the list, and I couldn't help but admire how juicy my lips looked after swiping some on. While I did notice a very subtle tingling feeling, my lips looked more or less the same size pre-application. The light-as-air-formula is non-sticky, too.

As a beauty writer, I've tried dozens – if not hundreds – of lip products over the years. This has afforded me the opportunity to test both fan-favorites and hidden gems, the latter of which I'm always keen on discovering. Ultimately, these eight lip plumpers are no exception, and I'm pretty pleased with all of them (even the ones that don't make my lips look huge!).

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].